2025 Academic Leadership Symposium
September 25 & 26, 2025 | The Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village
Join fellow academic department chairs, deans, and division heads for a holistic survey of leadership skills and best practices. This inaugural AISNE event will create a space for meeting peers in similar roles in other New England independent schools and collectively building energy and capacity for the school year ahead.
Academic department chairs, deans, and division heads require a unique blend of leadership presence, managerial skill, and relational strength. Together we’ll explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in these roles that manage from the middle of a school’s staff and faculty structures.
As a gathering or meeting of people with shared roles centered on academics, curriculum, and teaching and learning this experience will offer you time to:
- Explore the real-world complexities of academic leadership in independent schools
- Reflect on your personal leadership style and goals
- Strengthen your feedback and communication skills
- Connect with peers who share your role, challenges, and aspirations
- Develop a practical action plan to bring new insights back to your school
The symposium includes structured sessions with facilitators, role-based discussions, collaborative problem-solving, leadership workshops, and time for networking and community.
Pricing and Hotel
| Number of Attendees | AISNE Member Schools | Non-Member School |
| 1 – 3 | $519/pp | $619/pp |
| 4 – 9 | $470/pp | $570/pp |
| 10 – 19 | $415/pp | $515/pp |
Your registration includes breakfast and lunch on both days, and dinner on day one, as well as access to all learning and networking sessions. Hotel reservations are not included.
REGISTER HERE
We strive to create an inclusive learning environment for all. If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us at info@aisne.org.
Hotel Information
The Artisan at Tuscan Village
17 Via Toscana, Salem, NH 03079
(603) 912-8450
AISNE has a block of rooms reserved at the The Artisan Hotel for the evening of September 25th. The rate is $274/nt for a standard king room. To book your reservation please click here. Please note that reservations to the AISNE block must be made on or before September 7, 2025, and are based on availability.
Agenda at a Glance
Thursday, September 25
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Registration
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Centering Wellbeing
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Managing and Leading from the Middle
- 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Giving and Receiving Feedback
- 12:30 – 1:30 PM | Lunch & Networking
- 1:30 – 2:45 PM | Giving and Receiving Feedback (continued)
- 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Role-Based Roundtables: Problem Solving & Collaboration
- 4:15 – 5:00 PM | Finding Our Joy and Sustenance
- 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Cocktails & Dinner
- 8:00 PM – | Evening Networking
Friday, September 26
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Registration
- 9:00 – 10:15 AM | Collaboration Café
- 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Leadership Reflections & Action Planning
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Boxed Lunch & Farewell
Agenda
Thursday, September 25
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Session 1: Arriving, Landing, and Centering Wellbeing
Jennifer and Hassan, your facilitators, will kick off the symposium with a conversation about leadership and wellness. We will discuss how to sustain ourselves while sustaining others, and spend time defining your goals for the symposium.
10:00 – 11:00 AM | Session 2: Managing and Leading from the Middle
In small group discussions, broken out by role, you will discuss the unique challenge of knowing when to lead, and knowing when to manage. We’ll discuss how to balance the responsibilities of academic leadership—teaching, managing faculty, shaping curriculum, and strategic visioning. During this session you will be introduced to the Eisenhower Matrix, which can help you determine how you are spending your time and energy.
11:00 – 11:15 AM | Break
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Session 3: Giving and Receiving Feedback
We will focus on the art of giving feedback that is useful and relevant during this session. You will engage in role-playing critical conversations and feedback delivery, and we’ll spend time on strategies for building a culture of feedback in your school that encourages growth, reflection, and accountability.
12:30 – 1:30 PM | Lunch
1:30 – 2:45 PM | Session 3 (continued): Giving and Receiving Feedback
We will focus on the art of giving feedback that is useful and relevant during this session. You will engage in role-playing critical conversations and feedback delivery, and we’ll spend time on strategies for building a culture of feedback in your school that encourages growth, reflection, and accountability.
3:00 – 4:00 PM | Session 4: Role-Based Roundtables, Problem Solving & Collaboration
In breakouts by role, you’ll use a structured protocol that leads you in best practices for collaborative problem solving. This is an opportunity for you to learn from your peers, as we will share strategies with the larger group.
4:00 – 4:15 PM | Break
4:15 – 5:00 PM | Session 5: Finding Our Joy and Sustenance
Academic leadership is demanding, but sustaining joy and purpose is essential. This session explores strategies for resilience, renewal, and reconnecting with the deeper meaning of educational leadership.
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Break
6:00-8:00 PM | Cocktails & Dinner
8:00-10:00 PM | Networking
Friday, September 26
8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Networking
9:00 – 10:15 AM | Session 6: Collaboration Café
Jennifer and Hassan will be joined by Becky Biggs, AISNE’s Director of Professional Learning, for the Collaboration Café. You will set the agenda of topics, dilemmas, and questions of importance to the group. What keeps you up at night? What do you want to know more about? What skills/strategies can you share with your colleagues? No topic is off the table.
10:15 – 10:30 AM | Break
10:30 – 11:30 AM | Session 7: Leadership Reflections & Action Planning
We will revisit themes from the symposium and ask what success looks like your specific position. This is a time to think about your action plan for implementing what you’ve learned back in your school, and to hear final takeaways from the group at large.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Boxed Lunch, Final Networking & Departure
Enjoy your lunch on-site or on the go as we wrap up our time together.
About the Presenters
Jennifer Bryan, PhD, is a psychologist, consultant, coach, speaker and author with 40 years of experience working in educational and clinical settings. She earned her masters and doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BA in Creative Writing from Princeton University. She founded Team Finch Consultants in 2000, specializing in helping schools and organizations create inclusive communities by understanding and addressing Gender and Sexuality Diversity. She has written two books, a text From the Dress-Up Corner to the Senior Prom: Navigating Gender and Sexuality Diversity in PreK-12 Schools and a children’s book about stereotypes, The Different Dragon. She now works as Re-Set School helping K-12 schools strategically center wellbeing in all that they do. When faced with so much change and uncertainty, building equitable, healthy, connected, and sustainable learning communities is the essential work of every school. Jennifer has two young adult children and lives in Northampton, MA with her partner and one moderately well-behaved dog. She enjoys hiking, pickle ball, board games, Wordle and reading the newspaper (hard copy only).
Hassan Wilson is Dean of Studies at Friends Seminary, a K – 12 independent school in New York City. In his 20+-year tenure at the school, Hassan has worn various hats, including roles as a teacher across all three divisions, Science Department Chair, trustee, and most recently, the Assistant Head of Upper School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master of Teaching Biology from Brown University. Hassan took on the role of Executive Director at the Constellation Learning Institute, where he enriched his experience in online and blended learning while supporting teachers across the country. Beyond his official roles, Hassan has emerged as a leading voice in science education, flipped learning, restorative practices, and non-traditional grading practices. He has passionately engaged with schools and teachers beyond the walls of Friends Seminary, including consulting and leading professional development. Hassan’s contributions in the realm of blended, flipped, and online learning have garnered him multiple awards, including recognition as a top 50 innovator worldwide by the FLGI.
Join Your Peers
Learn and build connections with your fellow independent school colleagues:
- Charlie Alexander, Director of Middle School | New England Innovation Academy
- Monica Alvarez, Director of Equity and Inclusion | Boston University Academy
- Larissa Bankovsky, Head of School | Star Academy Boston
- Alla Baranovsky, Mathematics Department Chair | Dana Hall School
- Becca Berwick, Humanities Dept. Chair | The Rashi School
- Jennifer Blum, Assistant Head for Learning and Teaching | The Rashi School
- Caitlin Bowring, Director of Curriculum & Instruction | Wellan Montessori School
- Felicia Brady-Lopez, Performing Arts Department Head | The Winsor School
- Kara Brown, Professional Learning Coordinator/Math Teacher | St. John’s Preparatory School
- Laura Cohen, Math Dept. Head | The Winsor School
- Gwyneth Connell, Director of the Grauer Institute | Pomfret School
- Emily Daly, Dean of Students | Stratton Mountain School
- Elia Desjardins, Science Department Chair | St. Johnsbury Academy
- Mel Dexter, Chair of Math Dept. | Lawrence Academy
- Erika Eckrote, Director of Special Education | Lyndon Institute
- Brett Elwell, English Dept. Head | Dana Hall School
- Theresa Evenson, Science Dept. Head | The Winsor School
- Krista Falcone, Academic Dean | Dana Hall School
- Joe Frigo, Dean of Students | Stratton Mountain School
- Alicia Furgueson, World Language Dept. Chair | Dana Hall School
- Gabriella Gangi, World Languages Dept. Head | The Winsor School
- Janet Gelcich, Director of Children’s House | Riverbend School
- Jennifer Graham, Director of College Counseling | The Winsor School
- Katrina Hable, Physical Ed. Dept. Head | The Winsor School
- Kenneth Hamilton, Asst. Head of Lower School for Curriculum | Poly Prep Country Day School
- Eben Healy, Math Dept. Chair | The Rashi School
- Andrea Hibbert, English Dept. Chair | St. Johnsbury Academy
- Ann-Marie Holland, History Dept. Head | The Winsor School
- Diahann Hughes, Chair of the Language Dept. | Lawrence Academy
- Laura Inglese, Literacy Coordinator | Acera School
- Sharon Jones Phinney, Lower School Head | The Winsor School
- Ariana Kelly, Director of Teaching and Learning | Boston University Academy
- Andrew Lee, Assistant Head of School | Fayerweather Street School
- Melanie Levesque, Humanities Dept. Chair | The Sage School
- Ayelet Lipton, World Languages Dept. Chair | The Rashi School
- Sara Macauley, Visual Arts Dept. Head | The Winsor School
- Sarah Martin, Assistant Head of School | The Sage School
- Jen McAleer, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs | Lawrence Academy
- Nick Mitchell, Science and STEAM Dept. Chair | The Rashi School
- Mica Moellering, Director of Performing and Visual Arts | Charles River School
- Dina Mordena, Director of the Arts | Lawrence Academy
- Ina Patel, Director of Teaching and Learning | Brimmer and May School
- Heather Pinedo-Burns, Head of School | Acera School
- Julie Polcrack, Dean of Academics | Oliverian School
- Kimberly Ramos, Upper School Head | The Winsor School
- Clarissa Robyn, Principal of Early Childhood | Jackson Walnut Park School
- Jamie Schefen, Upper School Coordinator | Acera School
- Sarah Slubowski, Teacher Mentor & Assessment Coordinator | Acera School
- Tamara Smith, Director of the Upper School | New England Innovation Academy
- Emily Stefanich, Lower School Coordinator | Acera School
- Kelly Sullivan, Principal – Elementary | Jackson Walnut Park School
- Christine Torigian, Dean of Faculty & Academic Affairs | Lawrence Academy
- Julie Weeden, Middle School Director | Charles River School
- Rosemary White, Associate Head of School | Boston University Academy
Thank you to our sponsor!
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 10 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund, less a $150 administrative fee. This fee covers the cost of our minimum commitments with our hotel partners; thank you for your understanding. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 3 business days before the start of the event.
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